Article of furniture



April 15, 1952 B. cocKRELl. 2,593,271

` ARTICLE OF' FURNITURE Filed Aug. 21, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet l "We 2f 3 r r l 1 April 15, 1952 B. cocKRELL 2,593,271

ARTICLE OF FURNITURE 5L Aww/5L 6'0 @Men L April 15, 1952 B. l.. cocKRELL 2,593,271

ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Aug. 21, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 15, 1952 B. L. cocKRELI. 2,593,271

ARTICLE OF FURNITURE 1 Filed Aug. 21, 1946 44 Sheets-Sheet 4 A L Z1-:91d 57,/ 'Tg e@ f Patented Apr. 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ThisA invention relates to articles of furniture and particularly to a self-contained composite device which may be conveniently converted into several different articles of furniture. More particularly, it is directed to an improvement of the article of furniture disclosed in my copending application, Serial Number 669,634, filed May 14, 1946, which matured into Patent No. 2,512,416 on June 20, 1950.

Heretofore, convertible articles of furniture have been provided as exemplified in United States. Patent Number 789,364. Such devices, however, have relatively complicated connecting components, and they are also relatively limited as to the number of different articles of furniture which they provide.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a relatively simple composite article of furniture in which its separate movable components are secured together in assembled relation by relatively simple devices.

Another object of this invention is to provide a composite article of furniture which may be conveniently and expeditiously converted into a pieces or assemblies. Y

A specific object of this invention is to provide a composite article of furniture including mem- Abers for securing and supporting a composite, component in position to serve as a table top or settee back, and a part of a bed or lounge, and .also the provision of separate sections which unite to serve as a seat for the settee, each seat section having components which also serve as a part of a bed or lounge.

A more specific object of this inventionis to provide a composite article of furniture including a support which, in collaboration with other members, supports a component of the article ofy furniture in position to serve as a table top or settee back or a part of a bed or lounge, means for detachably securing the component to the support, a composite seat having separate sections which form a unitary seat for the settee or forma part of the bed or lounge, the seat sections being separable to form separate benches or chairsfor use when the article of furniture is arranged as a table and chair set, and means for maintaining the seat components in predetermined relation to the support.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a convertible article of furniture of generally improved construction, whereby the device will be simple, durable, and inexpensive in construction,

1 claim. (cl. its-4s) relatively large number of different furniture `r as well as conventional, practical, serviceable and efficient in its use. a

With the foregoing and other lobjects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of con- `struction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that various changes in form, lproportion and minor details of construction may be made within the scope of the claim without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any i as being separated toprovide separate seats for use with the table;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical fragmental sectional, View taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 41;,

"Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal fragmental sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figurel; Figure 5 depicts, in full lines, anendview of 'the article of furniture with its ycomponents a1'- ranged as abed, and alsoshows, in dot-and dash lines', the components arranged as a' lounge or sun rest;

` Figure 6'is an enlarged fragmental vertical sectional view` taken through the intermediate portion of the device; 1 J

Figure 7 lis an enlarged fragmental front view of the device looking in the direction of the arrow `'l of Figure 6, with portions of the device being omitted for sake of clarity; V

Figure 8 is an enlarged horizontal fragmental sectional View taken on the line 8,-8 of Figure "7; Figure 9 is a fragmental perspective viewv de picting one of the seat sections;

o of furniture with its components arranged asa bed, and, in dot land dash lines,` as a table, settree or lounge;

Figure 12 is an enlarged verticalljfr'agmental 3 sectional view taken on the line I2--I2 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmental vertical sectional view taken' on the line I3--I3 of Figure 1l; and

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmental vertical sectional View taken on the line III-I4 of Figure 11.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, there is depicted, in Figures 1 to 10, a convertible article of furniture which includes a support having spaced side members or uprights I5 which are united by a transverselyfextending reach or cross-brace I6 that is rigidly secured to the side members in any preferred manner. The side members may be of any preferred construction, but, in the form of the invention depicted, each side member is formed of Vfabri cated metal of rectangular cross-section and includes spaced legs I1 which are united by vertically-spaced upper and lower crossebraees I8. Each side member I5 hasits intermediate portionreduced to define opposed laterally-.spaced shoulders 2U, vfrom which inclined supports 2i extend upwardly and outwardly, and these supports are united by a rail or rest 22. Each reach or cross-brace Itis preferably of composite construction formed of opposed channel members I9 which are welded or otherwise secured in abutting relation to `the upper and lower cross-braces I8.

A composite furniture component 23 is provided, and it is arranged to form either a table top or a part ,of a bed or settee or a part of a lounge, as will be more fully explained hereinafter. The furniture component 23 comprisesa frame having straight and hollow rectangular end members 25 which are united at their terf minals by angle members 26 which form the sides of the frame. The rectangular end members 25 and angle members 25 have a flat plate 21 welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto, as best'seen in Figures l, 2, 3 'and 10, and this plate .is arranged to provide the top of a table when the components of the article of furniture are arranged to form' a table or table and chair set, as depicted in 'Figures 1 and 2. A cushion 28 of conventional construction is carried by a cushion .frame 3i) (Figures 3 and 12), and the cushion frame 130 is arranged to be `snugly received in the Ispace (Figure defined hy the inner walls 3I `of, the rectangular end members 25 and the `cuter or marginal vflanges `3 2 of the angle members. 25. The cushion 2B maybe detahably Secured t0 the frame 23 by anysuitabie nently fixedto the frame 23 if desired, even though the article is left outdoors.

In order to secure the furniture component 23. when employed as a table top, to the side ,members I5, there .v are provided adjustable links or legs 36. vEach adjustable link includes an outer 'member 31 preferably formed of channel material Vand having an inner member or Vslide 33 which islongitudinally slidable therein, as best seen in Figures l, 2, 3 and 5. The outer terminal of each slide 38 has a thumb screw 4i] swivelly secured thereto, as indicated at 4I, and a similar thumb screw 42 is supported by the outer member 31, adjacent its outer terminal, for both rotary and longitudinal movement, by providing the screw with a collar 43 which is rotatably and slidably received within a cylindrical sleeve 45, welded or otherwise secured to the outer member 31, as best seen in Figure 3. The inner terminal of each 'outer link member 31 is reenforced by welding or Yotherwise securing a flller piece 46 therein (Figures 4 and 5), and the shank 41 of a third thumb screw 48 extends through alined apertures formed in the outer link member 31 and the filler piece 46, so that the threaded terminal of the screw 48 may be threadably received in a threaded recess 50 formed in the top crossmember'I of the side members I5, for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. The thumb screw 48 is also swivelled to the outer link member 31 by operably positioning a collar 5I carried bythe screw within a cylindrical sleeve 52, carried by the outer link member 31, as best seen in Figure 4. Each inner link member or slide 33 is provided with spaced threaded apertures 53, 54, 55, 56 in order that the inner link member 38 may be secured in different adjusted positions relative to the outer link member 31, for a purpose 'torbe hereinafter set forth.

The outer wall 25' of each hollow rectangular end member 25 of the furniture component 23 is provided at its intermediate portion with a threaded cylindrical recess 51 (Figure 3), and each terminal of this wall 25 is provided with a transversely-disposed rectangular recess or channel 58 and an adjacent obliquely-disposed recess or channel'60. The recesses or channel 58 and 60 communicate with threaded cylindrical recesses 6I and 62 formed in the wall 25', and a similar threaded recess 63 is Vformed in the wall 25 at each terminal thereof immediately adjacent the rectangular recess 58, for a purpose to be later set forth. Dowel pins 65 extend perpendicularly and outwardly from a wall 25" of each rectangular end member 25 of the furniture component 23, and these pins are adapted to be received in cylindrical recesses 66 (Figure 3) formed in the upper Wall of eachrail 22 of each side member I5 to secure the furniture component 23 in predetermined relation to the 'side members l5. Similar dowel pins 61 extend perpendicularly and outwardly from each side of the furniture component'23, and these dowels are adapted to be received in cylindrical recesses 68 (Figure 6) formed in the shoulders 20 of the side members I5, for a purpose to be hereinafter disclosed.

A composite seat is provided, and it includes separate seat sections 63, and each seat section comprises a rectangular seat frame 1f! (Figures 6. '1 and 9) formed of an inner side member or rail 1I and an outer side member or rail 12 and end members 13. The members 10, 1I and 12 are preferablyv formed of angle iron orV suitable material. The seat frame 10 is supported by inner and outer legs 15 and 15, the legs being preferably formed of hollow rectangular material which is weldedY or otherwise secured to the components of the seat frame 1U adjacent each corner thereof. The inner portion of each seat seat, as best seen in Figure 6. The oute'r portion of each seat frame also overhangs the cuter legs 'I6 to support a seat component, as will be hereinafter morefully explained. The inner and ears 86 extend outwardly from the end members 85 of each frame 8|, and each ear is'pivotally secured to the overhanging portion r:of theend member of the seat frame lo, as indicated atV 81, thereby permitting the frame 8| to move relative to the seat frame 16, for a reason which willbe hereinafter explained. each end vmember 85 ofY each movable frarpeufl is provided with a transversely extending-'recess or channel 88 which communicates `with a threaded aperture 90. ,Similar threaded'aper-- tures 3| or 92 are formed adjacent the channel 88 at each side thereof, and another threaded aperture 93 is formed in each end member 13 adjacent the upper terminal of eachinnerleg 15.

Each seat member B9 is provided with two links Vor legs 95 arranged to socooperate withthe ccmponents of the seat member to maintain these components in positions to form different articles of furniture. Each link 35 has a thumb screw Qt swivelly secured to one terminal and asimilar screw 9i swivelly secured toits opposed terminal.

The seat frame it and themovableirainenii| have conventional cushions 2'and'v 83 suitably secured thereto. The usual supporting. frames for the cushion are preferably supported by the inner flanges of the angular frame components, and the cushion frames are secured to the angular irons by screws S8, or other suitable securing devices, as best seen in `Figure G. These cush- V ions may be removed from their frames by simply removing the screws 98, ut a preferred arrangel 'ment is one in which t e cushions are formed (of weather-resistant material and remain peri vmanently iixed to the seat components.

VThe seat sections 59 are preferably supported for movement relative to the support l5 byany preferred instrumentalities, but a convenient con struction and arrangement for this purpose is dis- 'within a tubular member |00, thereby permitting each seat section 69 to be moved relatively tothe support l5. Each rod |36 is provided with alongitudinally extending groove lill into which the shank of a stop screw |08 extenderse that'when the seat sections 69 have reached their outermost position, their movement is limited by tbe stop screw engaging theinner terminel'of the groove --|0"|. l. .w' i

when-the article of furniture is to be) empicyec.

as a table, the dowel pins-65 of the furniture com' The outer.. terminal of- 'crease the length of the composite link 36. P'furniture component 23 is moved to either side gininal of the furniture component.

ponent23 are positioned within the cylindrical recesses 66 formed in the rails 22 of the side members l5. Then the thumb screw 40 of each composite link 36 is screwed into a threaded re- 'cess 5l Vformed in the furniture component 23, and the thumb screw 4B is screwed into the recessesvil (Figure 4) formed in the top brace I8 oi the side member i5, and the thumb screw 42 is manipulated to threadedly engage the threaded aperture 53 formed in the inner member or slide '38 of the composite link 35, thereby rigidly se curingthe furniture components 23 to the side members |5to form a table top. In this position the seat components are nested in their inner position, as best disclosed in Figures 1 and 6.

" However, if it is desired to arrange 'the components ci the article of furniture as a settee,

the thumb screw 42 of each composite link 36 is released so that the slide member 38 may move relative to the outer link member 31 to thus in The ofthe supports 2| and the dowel pins 6l are :inserted into the cylindrical recesses 68 formed inthe 'shouldered portion 20 of the side members I5;- Now theI thumb screw 42 of each link 35 is manipulated to screw 'its threaded shank into the threaded aperture formed in the inner link member 38. In this position, the rectangular end frame members 25 of the movable furniture component 23 engages the outer surfaces of the inclined supports 2|, so that the furniture component 23 is held rigidly to the side members l5 'in position to serve as a settee back. In this position, the seat members 69 remain in their innermost or nested position to form a unitary seat for the settee, and the links 95 are secured in posii tion to bind the movable seat components against ythe frame of each seat section E9, as best seen in Figures 1 and 6. i

Each side member I5 has an offset attaching ear ||0 extending outwardly therefrom (Figure vl0), and each ear is provided with a cylindrical aperture l through which the shank of a thumb screw I?. extends. The shank of the thumb screw i2 is provided with a collar ||3 which is mounted for rotary and sliding movement within a cylindrical sleeve ||5 which is suitably secured to the attaching ear Ilil.

When it is desired to arrange the article of furniture as a bed, as depicted in Figure', the movable furniture component 23 is moved to the selected side of the support I5, and then the thumb screws ||2 are screwed into the threaded apertures 63 formed in the terminal of the furniture component 23,.. thereby supporting this ter- Now the upper terminals of the slides .38 of the composite .links 36 arel secured within the Vrectangular re- ,cesses 58 formed at the outer terminal of the i tion 4to serve as a bed.

rIf it is desired to arrange the components of .the article of furniture to provide a lounge or sun rest, then the upper terminals of the slides 38 of `the composite links 35 are secured in the oblique recesses or channels 68 formed at the outer terminal of the furniture component 23 by manipplatingl the thumb screws 40, and also screwing the thumb screws 42 into the threaded apertures 56 formed in the slides 38, to thus provide legs 'in Figure 13.

which are rigidly secured to the furniture 0.0mponent 23 to support it in an inclined position to serve as the head of a lounge or sun rest.

The foot of the bed or lounge is formed by moving a 'selected movable frame 8| about its hinge connection 81 to horizontal position. ln this position, one terminal of the link 95 is posin tioned in the rectangular channel 88 and is secured therein by manipulating the thumb screw formed at this end of the link, thus rigidly sethe frame is supported to form a continuation or foot portio-n of the bed, as best seen in Figure 5.

When it is desired to employ the article of furniture as a table and chair set, the seat sections 69 are moved outwardly to their outer limit, as best seen in Figure 2. In this position, the .seat sections 63 are arranged in proper arrangement to comfortably seat persons at thev table. The seat sections 59 may be employed either as benches or chairs. `lf employed as benches, the movable seat frames 8| remain in their downward positions where they are held by the links 95, but if it is preferred to employ the seat sections as chairs or backed seats, then the movable frame components 8| are moved upwardly to the position shown in Figure 2, and there secured by screwing the thumbv screws 9'1 `formed at the terminalsof the links 95 into the threaded apertures 9| formed at the outer terminal of the movable frame 8|, thus rigidly supporting the movable frame 8| `in position to form a chair or seat back.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the links 95 are employed to secure the components of each seat section in such relation as to form either a bench or chair, and to also support the movable frame 8| in position to form a part of the bed or lounge. The composite links 35 are employed to secure the movable furniture component 23 in position to serve either as a table top. settee back, or to support the head portion of a bed, lounge or sun rest.

vA modified form of the invention is disclosed in Figures l1 to 14, and in this form, most of the components ofthe article of furniture are similar to those hereinbefore disclosed except the means for securing the table top and settee back and for supporting the bedV or lounge head and foot. The furniture component 23a is similar in construction to the component 23 hereinbefore disclosed, except that it is provided at the op- .posed terminals of each end with threaded cylindrical recesses H6, and similar threaded re'- 'cesses formed intermediate the terminals of its ends, and also with a central threaded aperture H8. The side members |a each have a housing or slideway |20 for slidably receiving Vsupports for the bed, as will be hereinafter disclosed. lilach housing |20 extends across each side member |5a, and it is provided with two elongated rectangular channels |2| and |22. Attaching flanges |23 extend outwardly from each terminal of the housing |20, and these anges are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the legs |8 a of the side members l 5a to rigidly secure the housing |20 to the side members |5a.

secured thereto, as indicated at |35. This arm curing the link to the movable frame 8|, so that Y is relatively short as compared with the vertical leg |26, and it also has a linger |35 extending perpendicularly therefrom. This finger has a thumb screw |31 operably supported thereon by a construction which is similar to the device heretofore disclosed for operably supporting the screw |30. Leg frames |38, similar to the leg frames |25., are provided to support the foot of the bed. and each leg frame includes a vertical leg and a perpendicularly-disposed slide |4|, which is similar in construction to the leg and slide hereinbefore disclosed. The upper terminal of each leg |40 is provided with a perpendiculariy-disposed finger |42 which operably supports a thumb screw |43 in the manner in which the thumb screws |30 are supported. The slides |27 and |4| are provided with stop pins |45 and |45 which are slidably received in elongated recesses or slots |47 and |48 (Figure 13) formed in the housing |20, and arranged to limit the outward movement of the slides when they have reached their outermost position, as shown in dot and dash lines in Figure 11. The rectangular end members 25a of the furniture component 23a have cylindrical threaded recesses |49 and |50 `.formed therein, and the angular end members c 85a. of the movable frame 8|a are provided with mounted on the finger for rotary and s'lidable movement similar to the manner in which the thumb screw |30 is suorted. Securing fingers |56 and |51, similar to the securing fingers |52, extend outwardly and laterally from the supports A`2m of the side members |5a, and these fingers operably support thumb screws |58 and |60 "which vare operably supported vin a t manner similar to the thumb screws |30. Y

Isf it is desired to secure thermovable furniture component 23a in position to serve as a table top, its dowel pins 65 are inserted inthe-receiv- In order to support the head portion lofthe A bed, a leg Yframe |25 is provided at each side of the bed. Each leg frame includes a vertical leg |26 and a perpendicularly-disposed slide |21,

vthe leg frame components being preferably ing apertures 66, and then the thumb screws are manipulated to screw them into the threaded cylindrical apertures ||8 formed in the furniture component 23a, thereby rigidly securing this component to the side members |5a to serve as a table top. When it is desired to position the movable k'component to serve as a settee back, it is located as hereinbeforegdisclosed, with its dowel pins E1 positioned in the recesses 56. Now either thumb screw |58 or |30 isV manipulated so that -it threadedly engages the selected threaded apertures ||1, thereby rigidly securing the furnitureV component 23a to the supports l2m Yof Vthe side members |5a.

The article of furniture may be employed as a bedV by securing one terminal of the furniture Vcomponent 23a; toV the side members 15a. by Y means ortho thumb screws H2. and raisins the selected movable frame Bla to horizontal position, as hereinbefore disclosed. Then the leg frames |25 and |38 are slid outwardly from their housing to the position indicated in dot and dash lines in Figure 1l. Now the thumb screws |30 and |43 are screwed into the threaded recesses |49 and |5|, thereby rigidly securing the legs |28 and |40 to the furniture component 23a and the movable frame 8 la, to support these elements in position to provide the head and foot portions of a bed.

If it is desired to employ the device as a lounge or sun rest, the thumb screws |30 are released, and then the arms |33 are swung upwardly to the position indicated in Figure 11. In this position, the thumb screws |31 are screwed into the threaded apertures |50 of the furniture component 23a, thus supporting this component in an inclined position to serve as the head member of a lounge or sun rest The components of this device, have, for the sake of clarity, been shown in their simplest form, but it is manifest that the design may be ornamented in any desired manner without affecting its utility, and such ornamentation may readily be worked into the panels defined by the frame components of the article.

I claim:

An article of furniture including supported spaced uprights, a seat located between the uprights, a furniture component, means for locating the furniture component in horizontal position on the uprights to form a table top or in position on the uprights to form a back for the seat, composite links, each link including 10 separate members which are slidable relative to each other to thereby adjust the length of the link, means for securing the separate members of each link in predetermined relation to each other to determine the length of the link, means for securing one terminal of each composite link to the side of an upright, and means for securing the opposed terminal of the composite link to the side of the furniture component whereby the links secure the furniture component on the uprights either in position to form a table top or a seat back.

' BLANCHE LUCILLE COCKRELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 74,551 Kramer Feb. 18, 1868 105,094 Kramer July 5, 1870 123,829 Katzenstein Feb. 20, 1872 219,697 Dare Sept. 16, 1879 247,933 Maercklein Oct. 4, 1881 368,472 Heringhausen Aug. 16, 1887 446,632 Easte Feb. 17, 1891 629,204 Pattee July 18, 1899 789,364 Gauvin et al. May 9, 1905 948,480 Myers et al. Feb. 8, 1910 950,253 Trepel Feb. 22, 1910 1,177,033 Higgins Mar. 28, 1916 1,359,723 Mohammed Nov. 23, 1920 1,473,975 Reid Nov. 13, 1923 

